It is a picturesque green valley on the way from Mysore to Ooty with a population of 32,605 (1991 census). It is a gateway to three states, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Kerala, lying equidistant from both Kerala and Karnataka. It is said that Gudalur gets its name from Koodal - uru, meaning the "meeting place". Though the history of the name has been lost, it is the place where all the three states' boundaries meet. Tea plantations dot the whole region, and the regional economy is heavily dependent on the tea industry.
This land was an offspring to the exploration done by the British during the pre-independence period to cultivate tea plantation. Being a satellite town between Ooty and Mysore, both tourist spots, Gudalur has the prospect of developing into another tourist destination. Gudalur is a place where one can see people from the three states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, and Karnataka live together cordially.
